Charminar

Charminar, Hydrabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Charminar is the emerald of Hydrabad city. The majestic beautiful building built with granite, lime crushed marble and mortar is one of the prime tourist attractions of Andhra Pradesh state and a must visit place for Hydrabad visitors. The city was previously known as Sikandarabad.

History

Sulltan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, who was the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built Charminar in 1591 shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is now commonly known as Hyderabad. He built this famous structure in celebration and remembrance of the elimination of a plague epidemic from this city. It is said that he had prayed here for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a masjid (Islamic name for mosque) at the very place where he was praying. In 1591 while laying the foundation of Charminar, Quli prayed; "Oh Allah, bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode, like fish in the water." Today one can see the city as evidence of the prayer being answered. The Mosque became popularly known as Charminar surely because of its four minarets. In Hindi and Arabic, char is the word used for four and Minar means Minarets.

Architecture

Charminar is a square alike structure with 4 towers in the four corners of the square. Each of whose sides is 20 Meters in length. Every side opens into a plaza through giant arches. The arches overlook four major thoroughfares. Except the minarets, they dwarf all other features of the building. Each arch is 11 meters wide and rises 20 meters to the top from the plinth. The minarets soar up skywards by 24 meters from the roof of Charminar. Each minaret has four stories and each looks like a delicately and skillfully carved ring around the minaret. From the ground to the pinnacle, the minarets cover a length of 48.7 meters.

It is said that, during the Mughal Governorship between Asaf Jahi and Qutb Shahi rule, the south western minaret fell in to piece after being struck by lightning. After this it was immediately repaired at a cost of Rs 60,000. In 1824, replasterication of the monument was done at a cost of Rs 100,000.

Places Nearby Worth Visiting:

The local bazaar just nearby is worth visiting if you have good bargaining qualities

Mecca Masjid is a very nice masjid at the distance of 1 km.

Golkonda fort is around 16 kms from the Minar

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hydrabad city. Nice place to g for evening walk

Salarjung art museum

Falaknuama Palace

Chilkur Balaji Temple

Accommodation:

Hydrabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh State. For the reason, you can get to be very choosy about your lodging. You are served with very wide variety of lodges. Also 3 star and 5 star hotels are here to make your holidays better.

How to Get There:

Airways:

The Hydrabad airport locally known as Begumpet Airport, is connected by direct flights to most of the cities of country having airport. By hiring a taxi you can reach Charminar.

Railways:

The Hydrabad is connected to big cities of India by direct trains. Sikandarabad is the nearest rail head. Service of local train is available in the city.

Road ways:

Being in the heart of old city, the Charminar is well connected by road. You can use public transport buses or hire a taxi or auto rikshaw.